To help them prepare for these and other potentially tricky encounters, there is “C.G. Survivor 101,” a workshop that helps these community ambassadors deal with their volatile constituency.

“What we have learned from the organization is to be as kind as possible,” said Culture, a commercial property manager who did her first Charger Girls stint in 1999 and returned for her second season last year. “You have to take the time to give people your attention, because in one moment, they could think, ‘Why did I ever get excited about them?,” and we don’t want that.”

Being a Charger Girl is not a full-time job, and it isn’t a secure one, either. Their contracts are good for only one season, so if they want to come back, they have to audition. This year, 24 of last season’s 28 girls want to come back. For the fans, for the football team and for each other.

“The most surprising thing about being a Charger Girl is that you have 27 other girls that you can really rely on. It’s automatic friendship,” said Melissa, who runs a graphic- and Web-design company. “You know how it is with girls and drama, and there is none of that here.”